It is said that the wind from the wings of a butterfly in flight can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world.The so-called "butterfly effect," as it is known, speaks to how even the slightest of our actions can have a much greater impact than we can imagine.Take the case of a plastic sandwich bag left behind at the beach after a family's picnic.
That bag can make its way to the ocean and become lodged in the throat of a critically endangered sea turtle - so the simple act of leaving the plastic bag on the beach could put a whole species in peril.Perhaps instead of that plastic bag being discarded at the beach, it was brought back home to be used again. Maybe if it was quickly rinsed after each use, it could last for 20 more picnics - 20 less plastic bags used means 20 less chances of an endangered sea turtle choking on one.
Better yet, perhaps the bag was never purchased in the first place - a re-usable and recyclable container was bought instead.The food we eat...the clothes we wear...the cars we drive - these decisions can all have a profound effect on the earth and the animals that call it home. It's up to us to make sure that we are having a positive impact.
As we celebrate Earth Day this year, I challenge you to think about the many decisions you make each day, how they might affect the earth and its inhabitants, and what you can do to have the most positive impact.
